Ireland
All The Stories From Home
CPAD – Concerned Parents Against Drugs
In Dublin in the 1980's & 90's drugs were rampant, especially in the inner city and parents were getting fed up with their sons and daughters being addicted or worse dying of drugs, they got together and formed Concerned Parents Against Drugs (CPAD) in 1983, an...
“Old Smoke” John Morrissey
"Old Smoke" John Morrissey was born in Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland in 1831. Around 1833 his parents emigrated to the U.S and settled somewhere near Troy, New York. In 1848 Morrissey moved to New York City and married the daughter of a ship's captain, Sarah...
The Triad Gang War of Dublin in 1979
In one of the most unusual gang wars Dublin or Ireland has ever seen came in July 1979, when a bloody street battle raged and two lost their lives, one was blinded for life and many others were injured. It was unusual in the fact that you wouldnt normally associate...
Weapons – The Shillelagh, Shillelagh Law & Faction Fights
The Shillelagh (pronounced shi - lay - la) is the name for a traditional Irish stick or stick of blackthorn wood, its usually sold to tourists and is a symbol of Irishness, it is on the logo of sports clubs, political office and other places around the world however,...
The Scissors Sisters – A Page From The Westies Book
In one of the more shocking crimes that has taken place in Ireland, the Scissor Sisters is definitely one that is high on the list, in fact Jimmy Coonan, Edward "The Butcher" Cummiskey, even the DeMeo crew would be proud of these sisters, it could also be included as...
The Molly Maguires & The Pennsylvania Miners Strike
The Molly Maguires were portrayed in a movie in the 1970's starring Sean Connery & Richard Harris, the story was based on true events, the Pennsylvanian Miners Strikes of the 1860's & 70's, they also featured in a song by the Irish folk band, The Dubliners....
Faction Fighting in New Orleans
Irish society in the 18th century saw a rise in violence known as faction fighting. Faction fighting was a type of recreational violence that was semi-organized pitched battles occurring usually at fairs and religious celebrations. Faction fights had its own set of...
Thomas F. Byrnes – Head of the NYPD Detective Unit
Thomas F. Byrnes was an Irish-born NYPD officer, who served as head of the New York City Police Department detective department from 1880 until 1895. Byrnes gained national attention for his exploits and some credit him with the technique "The Third Degree" Born...
Yankee Sullivan Prizefighting Champion
Yankee Sullivan real name James Ambrose. he was born in Bandon, Cork in 1811, he was also known as Frank Murray and James Sullivan. Yankee Sullivan was a bare-knuckle boxer and was a prizefighting champion from 1851 to 1853. He was considered to be the inheritor of...